Wildfires in the central Greek prefecture of Magnesia claimed the lives of two people on Wednesday, according to Ekathimerini.
A 69-year-old woman died while she was stuck in a camping trailer in the rural mountain area of Platanos, while a 45-year-old man was killed as he was taking his animals to higher ground in Agios Georgios Ferron, west of Volos.
Police have arrested a man suspected of starting the fire that killed the woman in the trailer and he was being questioned in connection with the other fires in the area too.
Firefighters battle fire on Rhodes. Photo: AP Photo / Petros Giannakouris.
Two pilots were killed when their Canadair CL-215 plane fighting wildfires crashed on Tuesday on the island of Evia, east of Athens.
Meanwhile, the body of a 41-year-old stockbreeder who had been missing since Sunday was found burned in a shack in a hard-to-reach area on Evia.
This brings the total fatalities from Greece’s wildfire season to five so far.
Wildfires erupt in central Greece:
More wildfires broke out Wednesday in the central mainland of Greece, triggering a precautionary evacuation order for some outskirts of the town of Lamia.
A firefighting helicopter drops water during a fire which broke out in the north part of the town of Lamia. Photo: Aris Martakos/EPA.
Further north, villages were also evacuated as a precaution near the city of Volos.
Cretan youth from across Australia and New Zealand have completed their 14-day tour of Greece from July 13 – 22, making many long-lasting memories and new friends.
From the Hellenic Presidential Palace to the Parthenon:
During the Athens part of the tour, the youth travelled to Salamina – one of Greece’s largest naval bases – and enjoyed a concert by Greek singer, Konstantinos Argiros.
They also had a private tour of the Hellenic Presidential Palace, where they met with Greece’s President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, exchanged greetings and presented her with a gift.
Later, the group visited the Hellenic Presidential Guard (Evzones) headquarters, followed by a visit to the Acropolis Museum, the Parthenon and Panathinaiko Stadium.
On day four of the trip, Cretan youth visited the Tanagra Airfield Base where they enjoyed watching several flight simulations and had the chance to sit in Greece’s new war planes, the Rafale 3FR.
The next day, following a visit to the Special Forces Training Camp, the youth headed to the Greek Ministry of Defence where they were greeted by the Greek Deputy Minister of Defence, Nikos Hardalias, and the Chief of Hellenic National Defence General Staff (GEETHA), General Constantinos Floros, in Greece’s Pentagon.
During the visit, the President of the CFANZ Tony Tsourdalakis and General Floros, in the presence of Minister Hardalias, agreed to continue the Cretan Youth Program for the next five years every September.
Later, the youth visited the Greek Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Athens, where they met with the General Secretary for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy, Ioannis Chrysoulakis.
Travelling around Crete:
Halfway through the tour, the group of youth arrived at Chania on the Greek island of Crete. Their first stop was to the tomb of the Ethnarch Eleftherios Venizelos, where they laid a wreath, held a minute’s silence and performed an impromptu pentozali. They also visited the statue of the Great Ethnomartyr Spiros Kagiales.
That night, the first-ever National Cretan Dance Group from Oceania, under instruction from Paul Spanoudakis, performed a music and dance concert in Chania. The concert was hosted by the Holy Metropolis of Kydonias & Apokoronou and Metropolitan Damaskinos, with support from the Cultural Association of Chania Viglatores. Lyrist Nikos Karkanis and his band performed on the night.
CFANZ President Mr Tsourdalakis was also awarded on the night for his voluntary work in the Greek community of Australia.
Throughout the youth tour, the group also visited sites with ANZAC history on Crete. This included the 42nd Street Memorial in Tsikalaria, which was financially supported by the Cretans of Australia; the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Souda Bay; the Mournies Memorial, which was funded by the Battle of Crete & Greece Commemorative Council of Victoria; the Skines Memorial funded by the Pancretan Association; the Tavronitis Bridge; the Maleme Airfield, the Battle of Crete Evacuation memorial; the Preveli Monastery; and The Hellenic Australian Memorial.
The Cultural Association of Chania Viglatores and the National Centre for Research Eleftherios Venizelos in Chania hosted the group for lunch and dinner.
Religious and cultural experiences:
The only religious component of the tour included a church service at the Holy Monastery of Arkadi in the presence of Metropolitan of Rethymno & Avlopotamou. The youth dressed proudly in traditional Cretan costume as they remembered the victims of the Holocaust of Arkadi. A trisagion service was conducted inside the gunpowder room in honour of the fallen.
Later that night, the Cretan youth took part in their first ever Rethemniotiki Kantada (Serenade) from the Saint Tesseris Martyrs Cathedral of Rethymno, through the streets of Rethymno and ending at the Square of the Unknown Soldier.
The event was hosted by the Cultural Association of Rethymno Tzanidakis and included Cretan musicians Sifis Tsourdalakis, Babis Voulgarakis and Manolis Kydonakis.
Over the next few days, everyone enjoyed a number of cultural experiences including a visit to the village of Spili, as well as dancing performances by Omilos Vrakoforon Kritis and the National Cretan Dance Group from Oceania, and a visit to the Manolis Stagakis Lyra Shop.
6th International Cretan Congress:
As the tour slowly came to an end, the Cretan youth attended the opening of the 6th International Cretan Congress in Agios Nikolaos in the prefect of Lasithi.
An official Cretan Youth Meeting was also held at the Congress, with youth from Australia, Europe and Greece presenting the activities of their respective associations. During the meeting, the youth decided to request permission from the World Council of Cretans to formalise their existence by August 2024.
During the Congress, youth also made the most of trips to visit Spinalonga island and Lasithi, and enjoyed a number of Cretan glendia.
One night, the National Dance Group performed in Agios Nikolaos in front of all the Congress delegates, the Governor of Crete Stavros Arnaoutakis and His Eminence Metropolitan of New Zealand Myron and other dignitaries. Musicians Giorgos Nikiforos Zervakis and his band entertained everyone.
Greece tour comes to an end:
The 14-day tour came to an end with a trip to Sitia. Departing Agios Nikolaos heading for Sitia, the youth had the opportunity to view all the sights at the geological park guided by local historian Eleftheria Koumendaki. The youth also stopped at the Holy Monastery of Toplou and were given a tour by the Abbott Archimandrite Amvrosios.
The youth then relaxed at the famous Vai Beach, before enjoying a music and theatrical performance at the fortress of Kazarma, followed by a farewell dinner at the Itanos restaurant in Sitia hosted by the Mayor Giorgos Zervakis.
Greek Australian NRL player, Billy Tsikrikas, has signed a loan deal with English rugby league club Castleford Tigers until the end of the 2023 Super League season, as reported by Totalrl.
Tsikrikas, 28, will join Castleford Tigers on a loan from Sydney club, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
Billy Tsikrikas, on loan from Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, until the end of the NRL 2023 season.
Tsikrikas has spent his career playing in Australia and Greece, due to his Greek heritage.
Keeping in touch with his “Greek background” he said in an Instagram post, is what has got him to where he is, with opportunities to play abroad and within Australia.
In Australia, Tsikrikas started with the Penrith Panthers between 2019 and 2021 representing NSW.
During the meeting, Mr Gardiakos introduced GOCSA’s priorities to the diplomat, shared the story of George Tramountanas (anglicised as George North), who was the first settler of Greek origin in South Australia, and talked about the strong ties of Greece and SA.
The Ambassador expressed her passion for the Greek culture, language, and the arts and said she has started learning the Greek language.
Speaking about the future, Ms Duncan said she can see great opportunities between Australia and Greece that will further expand the relationship between the two countries.
“It was great to meet Ambassador Alison Duncan in Athens and discuss the importance of working to maintain and strengthen the existing bilateral cooperation,” GOCSA President Peter Gardiakos said.
“It is also exciting to know that Australia and the EU are working closely to meet shared global responsibilities such as promoting sustainable development, tackling climate change, and respecting international law.”
On the island of Rhodes, travellers left villages and resorts to find safety, with some returning home to their country of residence whilst others remained on the island.
Three Greek Australians have shared details of the horrific scenes as fires ripped through the forest, and ash covered houses on the island of Rhodes.
Steve Toumbas and Gianna Spanos.
South Australian couple, Steve Toumbas and Gianna Spanos, were holidaying on Rhodes when wildfires tore across the island.
Steve, who was born on the island of Rhodes, said he was deeply saddened to see his home island overtaken with wildfires.
“Unfortunately, 70 percent of this beautiful green island has been burned,” he told Nine News.
The fire was only two kilometres from the village where Steve was born, and to escape the fires and find safety the couple fled to the next village 5 kilometres away.
“The community has stuck together and are doing the right thing; trying to put the fires out. They have been extremely hospitable, helping all the tourists, like me,” Steve said.
“All the people from the village[s] volunteer to help, and supply water, food, pizzas, to give people energy. They try to give us updates too.”
Partner, Gianna, was also born on the island and last week, they spent the week touring Rhodes.
“We toured the island a week ago with Steve,” Gianna said. “Everything was green last week.”
“And today everything is burned, ashes everywhere.”
Brooke Kotsos performs at the Lindos Imperial Resort and Spa, which was destroyed by fire on the Greek island of Rhodes. Photo: Brooke Kotsos.
As Steve and Gianna are faced with the deep sadness of seeing their hometown overrun with flames, another Greek Australian on Rhodes is attempting to “take people away from their struggles” with her performances.
Greek Australian singer and performer, Brooke Kotsos, from Melbourne, and fellow Australian singer, Hannah Gutierrez Cañon, were set to perform this month at the five-star Lindos Imperial Resort and Spa, which was burned down.
While Canon returned to Australia for personal reasons shortly before the fires lost control, Kotsos has remained on the island to see out the season and continue performing on the island, rather than return to Australia.
According to an interview with 9News, Kotsos’ decision to perform amid the wildfires is to help people “forget about all these problems.”
There were talks of cancelling the shows, but while performing on stage on Tuesday night, Kotsos said: “I’m here on stage to, you know, transform you and to move you to another world.”
Living in Faliraki, 45 minutes from where the fires first broke out, Kotsos is confident of her safety, remaining prepared with her passport and essentials at all times.
Tolis Voskopoulos, nicknamed “the prince of Greek song,” chose to pursue his childhood dream of acting and performing and would become a legend of modern Greek music.
The singer, actor and composer starred in many films and performed in theatre in Athens, Greece. He is well known for songs such as Mia gynaika, Mia agapi, Mia zoi! (1971), Adelfia mou, Alites, Poulia (1971) and The Christmas Tango (2011).
Early Life:
Voskopoulos was born on 26 July 1940 in Kokkinia, Piraeus, Greece.
To his father’s joy, Voskopoulos was a long awaited son to carry on the legacy of the family grocery store. But from a young age, Voskopoulos had hopes and dreams of becoming a theatre actor.
At age 15, Voskopoulos told his father his dreams of acting and would be surprised to find his father in support of him attending drama school. Soon there after, his father enrolled him in the National Conservatory.
Three years later, in 1958, Voskopoulos would perform in his first threatre show, directed by Thanos Tragas. His debut in cinema came two years later in a comedy film directed by Nikos Tsiforos, called Three Dolls and I.
Our Shattered Dreams (1967).
In 1967, Voskopoulos would act in a film called Our Shattered Dreams, about an aspiring singer who meets a famous songstress, giving him a lucky break into the show business.
Voskopoulos’ music career began with the song Vima-vima by Lykourgos Markeas. But he would soon make his mark in the music world with a big hit at the time, singing Agonia by Giorgos Zambetas (1968), which exceeded 300,000 sales very quickly.
Voskopoulos singing “Agonia” by Giorgos Zambetas (1968).
For the next 35 years, Voskopoulos collaborated with artists and performed to large audiences. He worked with artists, Giorgos Zambetas, Mimi Plessas, Akis Panos, Thanasis Polykandriotis, Marios Tokas, Yiannis Parios, Giorgos Katsaros, Kostas Virvos, Phoebus and many more.
Tolis Voskopoulos becomes a Greek music legend with fans filling arenas.
Some of the major hits he performed and is known for are Two hearts, The moon is on me, But I love one, And you will go away, The knife hurt sweetly, Men don’t talk much, Let her be healthy, My brothers, bums, birds, Unrepeatable, Before our dream is lost, Swallows the stream, Gypsy for your sake, Fleas in my ears and Life owes me a love.
Tolis Voskopoulos was known for the major hit, “Agonia” by Giorgos Zambetas (1968).
Personal life:
The Greek singer had four marriages to Antzela Gerekou (1996-2021), Julia Papadimitriou (1990-1996), Marinella (1973-191) and Stella Stratigou (1960-1965).
Voskopoulos and wife at the time, Antzela, had a daughter, Maria, who was born in 2001.
Wife, Antzela (L), Tolis (middle), daughter, Maria (R).
Death and Legacy:
Voskopoulos would establish himself as “the prince of Greek song” in the 1980s with gold and platinum records and a fanatical fan base.
In 2013, Voskopoulos performed at a concert at the Veakeio Municipal Theater, Piraeus, the city he was born and raised. His performance was emotional and moving to the audience at the sold out event. He would be awarded by the Piraeus Mayor at the time, Vassilis Michaloliakos, for his contribution to Greek music.
On July 19, 2021, Tolis Voskopoulos died of a heart attack, aged 80, in Athens, Greece. He was hospitalised with respiratory problems at General Aviation Hospital, and passed away shortly after.
The funeral was held on July 21 at the First Cemetery of Athens with family, friends, colleagues and fans.
Greece’s men’s water polo team is into the semi-finals of the World Aquatics Championships in Japan after defeating Montenegro on Tuesday.
The Greek national team were victorious in the water polo quarter final with a 10-9 win against Montenegro.
The first minutes for Greece’s national team in the match were good, starting with a partial 2:0 against Genidounias. The Montenegrins then reduced it to 2-1 by the end of the first period.
In the second, the “blue and white” had a better start again, scored, took the lead again for 3-1 and reached 6-3 with the half-time finding the two teams with a score of 6-4 and Greece always in front.
Greek players celebrate the win against Montenegro on Tuesday. Credit: World Aquatics
At the beginning of the third period, the national team concedes a goal with Popanic making it 6-5, while the elusive Genidounias shot at 80 km per hour for 7-5. However, Montenegro then dropped to 7-6, while at the end of the period it tied at 7-7.
In the 48th minute, Montenegro lost an attack, while Nikolaidis won a penalty with Argyropoulos taking it and giving the lead to the national team again with 8-7. Radovic made it 8-8, Argyropoulos with a second goal in a row made it 9-8 while Spies again brought the balance to the match.
Zerdevas with a great double save kept Greece alive. Vlachos called a timeout and the national team, with the excellent goal of Skoumbakis, took the lead again and claimed victory with 10-9.
Greece will next face in the semi-final the winner of the Serbia – Italy water polo match.
The new bill lifting restrictions for Greek citizens living abroad to vote in elections was passed in Parliament on Tuesday.
A total of 208 of 300 deputies voted in favour of the bill, eight more than the constitutional requirement. To apply the legislation, over 200-MP votes were required (two thirds of the total MPs in Parliament).
The ruling New Democracy, PASOK-Movement for Change, Niki and Course of Freedom voted for the bill, according to Ekathimerini.
Bill lifting restrictions for Greeks voting from abroad passed. Photo: The New York Times.
The opposition SYRIZA and the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) voted against it, while the far-right Spartans and Greek Solution parties abstained.
Some of the restrictions the bill abolishes include the length of stay in Greece (2 years during the last 35 years) before voting, and to have filed taxes during the current year or the previous one from the year of elections.
Three people became the first known fatalities on Tuesday of wildfires that have been raging across Greece for a week,Reuters has reported.
Two firefighting pilots confirmed dead:
The General Air Staff Air Force confirmed on Tuesday that two pilots were killed when their Canadair CL-215 plane fighting wildfires crashed on the island of Evia, east of Athens.
The air force named the two officers as Captain Christos Moulas (34) and his co-pilot, Second Lieutenant Periklis Stefanidis (27).
State broadcaster ERT showed footage of the plane dropping water over a fire, striking a tree before crashing into a ravine and bursting into flames. The plane had no ejection system.
“They gave their lives saving lives; proving how risky their daily firefighting missions are. But also how great the self-sacrifice is of the frontline fighters,” Mitsotakis wrote in his message.
“Words do not suffice to describe the national mourning for their loss. So, we grit our teeth and turn our silence into strength. In their memory, we will continue the war against the destructive forces of nature.”
Mitsotakis cancelled a planned visit to Cyprus for Wednesday, and Greece’s armed forces declared three days of mourning.
Οι Έλληνες θρηνούμε, σήμερα, τον τραγικό χαμό των πιλότων μας Χρήστου Μουλά και Περικλή Στεφανίδη στην Εύβοια. Έδωσαν τη ζωή τους, σώζοντας ζωές. Αποδεικνύοντας πόσο ριψοκίνδυνες είναι οι καθημερινές αποστολές τους στην κατάσβεση των πυρκαγιών.
— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) July 25, 2023
Body of missing farmer found in Evia:
State broadcaster ERT separately reported that the body of a 41-year-old stockbreeder who had been missing since Sunday was found burned in a shack in a hard-to-reach area on Evia.
Police sources said that the body was found by the missing man’s relatives, who notified the police and believe it is his body.
DNA tests will be conducted to confirm the identity of the remains.
Wildfires continue to rage across Greece:
These deaths come as wildfires continue to rage across Greece.
More evacuations orders were issued on the islands of Corfu and Evia, while a blaze on the island of Rhodes continued to move inland, torching mountainous forest areas, including part of a nature reserve.
Wildfires burn the forests near the village of Vati, in the southern part of the Greek island of Rhodes. Photo: AFP.
The Civil Protection Ministry has now warned of an “extreme danger” of fire in six of the country’s 13 regions on Wednesday. Areas most at risk are Attica, Central Greece (Viotia, Evia, Fthiotida, Fokida), the Peloponnese region (Argolida, Corinthia), Western Greece (Achaia), Thessaly (Larissa, Magnesia), and Central Macedonia (Thessaloniki).
The Hellenic Club engaged the internationally renowned teams at Fender Katsalidis Architects and OCULUS to design a new Hellenic Precinct.
The precinct includes a 12-storey hotel with 151 rooms, complete with restaurants and a bar on the ground level, an indoor recreation facility on level one and an auditorium on levels two and three. There are also plans for a 16-storey office block.
The club’s three development applications (DAs) have since been approved by the ACT’s planning authority.
A new render of what the completed Hellenic Club precinct in Woden could look like. Photo: Purdon Planning.
President of the Hellenic Club of Canberra, Andrew Satsias, said he was overwhelmed when he found out the club’s three development applications (DAs) had been approved by the ACT’s planning authority.
“We are excited and grateful for the overwhelming support we have received from the community for our plans to build a world class Hellenic precinct like no other,” Mr Satsias told The Greek Herald.
“We were not expecting all three development applications to be approved so quickly by government. It is testament to the hard working Development Committee, Consultants, Board and Staff at our Club that we have been able to achieve what we have in such a short space of time.”
The development will be completed in three stages, with the first building, the multi-level basement car park, to get underway in early 2024.
